Vehicle interior panel with integral wire harness

Abstract

An interior panel, for use in a vehicle that includes a plurality of electrical devices and a vehicle component frame, includes printed electrical connection means for connecting the electrical devices in the vehicle and a substrate layer that has an inner surface directed towards the vehicle component frame. The electrical connection means are printed on the inner surface of the substrate layer using an electrically conductive ink.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An interior panel for use in a vehicle, the vehicle including a plurality of electrical devices and a vehicle component frame, the interior panel comprising a printed electrical connection assembly configured to connect the plurality of electrical devices in the vehicle and a substrate layer having an inner surface directed toward the vehicle component frame, wherein the electrical connection assembly is printed on the inner surface of the substrate layer using an electrically conductive ink. 
     
     
       2. The interior panel of  claim 1 , wherein the interior panel comprises a cover layer overlying an outer surface of the substrate layer. 
     
     
       3. The interior panel of  claim 2 , wherein the interior panel comprises a scrim layer between the vehicle component frame and the substrate layer, and overlying the printed electrical connection assembly. 
     
     
       4. The interior panel of  claim 2 , wherein the interior panel comprises an insulating layer, and wherein the insulating layer is arranged between the substrate layer and the vehicle component frame. 
     
     
       5. The interior panel of  claim 1 , comprising printed contact strips embedded in the substrate layer and in electrical contact with the electrical connection assembly. 
     
     
       6. The interior panel of  claim 5 , wherein the contact strips comprise patches of conductive ink printed on the substrate layer. 
     
     
       7. The interior panel of  claim 1 , comprising a strain relief device configured to withstand stretching of the underlying interior panel during installation into the vehicle without breaking connection within the printed electrical connection assembly. 
     
     
       8. The interior panel of  claim 1 , comprising a printed conductive pad connectable with at least one electrical device of the plurality of electrical devices and the printed electrical connection assembly. 
     
     
       9. The interior panel of  claim 1 , wherein the printed electrical connection assembly is formed from flex circuits attached to the substrate layer. 
     
     
       10. The interior panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one electrical device of the plurality of electrical devices requires electrical power to function. 
     
     
       11. A method for manufacturing an interior panel of a vehicle, the vehicle including a plurality of electrical devices, the method comprising:
 printing an electrical connection assembly on the interior panel using an electrically conductive ink; and 
 piercing the interior panel with an electrical connector to connect one of the plurality of electrical devices to the electrical connection assembly. 
 
     
     
       12. A system comprising:
 an electrical device; 
 an interior panel with a printed electrical connection assembly and a printed conductive pad; and 
 an electrical connector pierced through the interior panel to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad, wherein the electrical connection assembly is printed on the interior panel using an electrically conductive ink. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a fixing device configured to block the electrical connector from separating from the interior panel during or after the installation of the interior panel. 
     
     
       14. An interior panel for use in a vehicle, the vehicle including a plurality of electrical devices and a vehicle component frame, the interior panel comprising a printed wire harness configured to connect the plurality of electrical devices in the vehicle and a substrate layer having an inner surface directed toward the vehicle component frame, wherein the wire harness is printed on the inner surface of the substrate layer using an electrically conductive ink. 
     
     
       15. The interior panel of  claim 14 , wherein the interior panel comprises a cover layer overlying an outer surface of the substrate layer. 
     
     
       16. The interior panel of  claim 14 , wherein the interior panel comprises a scrim layer between the vehicle component frame and the substrate layer, and overlying the printed wire harness. 
     
     
       17. The interior panel of  claim 14 , wherein the interior panel comprises an insulating layer, and wherein the insulating layer is arranged between the substrate layer and the vehicle component frame. 
     
     
       18. The interior panel of  claim 14 , comprising printed contact strips embedded in the substrate layer and in electrical contact with the printed wire harness. 
     
     
       19. The interior panel of  claim 18 , wherein the contact strips comprise patches of conductive ink printed on the substrate layer. 
     
     
       20. The interior panel of  claim 14 , comprising a printed conductive pad connectable with at least one electrical device of the plurality of electrical devices and the printed wire harness.